our community has a neighborhood trash pickup once a year. this year, it's set for August 8. we can put anything out on the curb, and on the 8th sanitation workers will haul it off in a gigantic garbage truck. this is perfect timing for our big move, so we put out all of our shit today. our curbside is literally piled four feet high with junk. we are distilling down our lives to the barest necessities.
one of the strangest things about this annual ritual is the picking through of our stuff that occurs. unending streams of people (on foot, in trucks, on bicycle) stop by the various piles and pilfer anything worth anything. even while we were piling our lives by the curb, people stopped by to pillage it.
a neighbor even took one of my wife's old high school yearbooks. this freaked her out. it is strange. i don't even want to know what the hell this guy is going to do with her yearbook.
anyway, it's amazing how much shit we've accumulated over the years. how much of it is unnecessary and superfluous. but, even more amazing, is how much shit we've deemed necessary to our lives.
30 July 2005
29 July 2005
garage sale, part two
just a quick update:
the Feel Free Press broadside listed in the previous post is no longer available. it has been purchased.
also, i neglected to mention the fact that anything you order will be personally inscribed by me to you. this might or might not sweeten the deal. no, i'm quite certain it doesn't, but it's true nonetheless.
a bit of good news (for me, though maybe not for you): i have two poems percolating in my skull. these are the first two things i will have written (once i finally sit down and do it) in approximately 3 months. the drought just before this one lasted over 6 months. not good. anyway, maybe this is the beginning of a wellspring of inspiration and creativity. then again, maybe it's just two unrelated and rare burbles that escaped from the dam.
the Feel Free Press broadside listed in the previous post is no longer available. it has been purchased.
also, i neglected to mention the fact that anything you order will be personally inscribed by me to you. this might or might not sweeten the deal. no, i'm quite certain it doesn't, but it's true nonetheless.
a bit of good news (for me, though maybe not for you): i have two poems percolating in my skull. these are the first two things i will have written (once i finally sit down and do it) in approximately 3 months. the drought just before this one lasted over 6 months. not good. anyway, maybe this is the beginning of a wellspring of inspiration and creativity. then again, maybe it's just two unrelated and rare burbles that escaped from the dam.
28 July 2005
garage sale
well, i'm very happy with all the responses and comments i've received lately. especially, the book-related comments. it's nice to know that others are crazy about reading, though i suspected you'd all be like me. and it's cool to read which books everyone loved. it has definitely given me some ideas for future reading lists.
i was going through the crap in my little writing room in my basement (which i will be posting pictures of sometime later, before we move), and i found some of my publications i thought i'd put up for sale. i have:
* one (1) booger broadside published by Bottle of Smoke Press (w/ felt wrappers. included with lettered copies of i was a third grade genius...) -- $2.00
* one (1) Feel Free Press pocket broadside #15 (2 poems) -- $1.00
* three (3) Chapbook of the Month Club #1, liquid jesus, by Bottle of Smoke Press (white paper overwraps) -- $2.00
* two (2) sunnyoutside broadside - the president, a criminal and a chimpanzee walk into a bar... (numbered copies, w/ illustrations by David Woodson) -- $5.00
* seven (7) broadsides of the poem spark from Six-Pack #2 by Bottle of Smoke Press -- $1.00
* four (4) Bottle of Smoke Postcard #1 broadsides of the poem the van gogh of poetry or on the right track -- $1.00
* three (3) broadsides of the poem six-pack from Bottle #2 by Bottle of Smoke Press -- $1.00
* twelve (12) broadsides of the poem 4 a.m. and drunk again from Bottle #3 by Bottle of Smoke Press -- $1.00
* five (5) copies of flight 451 broadside (no imprint) -- $1.00
* twenty (20) copies of checklist broadside by Bottle of Smoke Press (a checklist of my publications, included with first 50 copies of 25 Best-Loved Poems of the Future) -- $1.00
* twelve (12) copies of a self-produced (via Eat Shit Press) chapbook titled, Abnormal Psych -- $2.00
* twenty nine (29) copies of 12-Gauge Press chapbook The Magnificent Seven -- $6.00
* fourteen (14) copies of Bottle of Smoke Press chapbook 25 Best-Loved Poems of the Future -- $5.00
(a lot of stuff from Bottle of Smoke, eh? mostly, it's because Bill gives his writers so many author copies that i don't know enough people to give them all to.)
if you are interested in any of the above products, let me know. all prices include postage. also, if you don't have it already, i am giving away my very first chapbook (an electronic chapbook from Spent Angel Press), Techson Medical Supply, for free with every order. if you already have this e-book, sorry. maybe, we can work something else out then.
anyway, let me know. i need to unload some of this stuff.
i was going through the crap in my little writing room in my basement (which i will be posting pictures of sometime later, before we move), and i found some of my publications i thought i'd put up for sale. i have:
* one (1) booger broadside published by Bottle of Smoke Press (w/ felt wrappers. included with lettered copies of i was a third grade genius...) -- $2.00
* one (1) Feel Free Press pocket broadside #15 (2 poems) -- $1.00
* three (3) Chapbook of the Month Club #1, liquid jesus, by Bottle of Smoke Press (white paper overwraps) -- $2.00
* two (2) sunnyoutside broadside - the president, a criminal and a chimpanzee walk into a bar... (numbered copies, w/ illustrations by David Woodson) -- $5.00
* seven (7) broadsides of the poem spark from Six-Pack #2 by Bottle of Smoke Press -- $1.00
* four (4) Bottle of Smoke Postcard #1 broadsides of the poem the van gogh of poetry or on the right track -- $1.00
* three (3) broadsides of the poem six-pack from Bottle #2 by Bottle of Smoke Press -- $1.00
* twelve (12) broadsides of the poem 4 a.m. and drunk again from Bottle #3 by Bottle of Smoke Press -- $1.00
* five (5) copies of flight 451 broadside (no imprint) -- $1.00
* twenty (20) copies of checklist broadside by Bottle of Smoke Press (a checklist of my publications, included with first 50 copies of 25 Best-Loved Poems of the Future) -- $1.00
* twelve (12) copies of a self-produced (via Eat Shit Press) chapbook titled, Abnormal Psych -- $2.00
* twenty nine (29) copies of 12-Gauge Press chapbook The Magnificent Seven -- $6.00
* fourteen (14) copies of Bottle of Smoke Press chapbook 25 Best-Loved Poems of the Future -- $5.00
(a lot of stuff from Bottle of Smoke, eh? mostly, it's because Bill gives his writers so many author copies that i don't know enough people to give them all to.)
if you are interested in any of the above products, let me know. all prices include postage. also, if you don't have it already, i am giving away my very first chapbook (an electronic chapbook from Spent Angel Press), Techson Medical Supply, for free with every order. if you already have this e-book, sorry. maybe, we can work something else out then.
anyway, let me know. i need to unload some of this stuff.
25 July 2005
logistics
with so many things happening so fast, vis-à-vis the sale of our house and moving into an apartment then a few months later moving into our new home, the wife and i have been segregating out things as we pack.
since the apartment we are getting is rather tiny and only one bedroom, we are going to also rent a portable storage unit to keep all of our big furniture pieces and other things (books, movies, most of our wardrobes, etc.). we're putting aside all the things we'll think we need in the 6 or 7 months we'll be at the apartment. the most important thing (for me) was putting aside enough books to keep me occupied. there were a few that i had been meaning to read for a couple of years now, but had never gotten to, that i think would be perfect for this interim period. i put aside five books for the apartment:
* Hunger by Knut Hamsun (it's been nearly 10 years since i last read it)
* The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky (i love Russian writers, especially Dostoevsky)
* Blood and Grits by Harry Crews (one of the most underrated writers in America)
* Messiah by Andrei Codrescu (was recommended to me)
* The Stones of Summer by Dow Mossman (subject of the great documentary The Stone Reader)
i almost took 1984 by George Orwell, but decided i would save that for later. not sure why i didn't take it, but i didn't.
i'm a slow reader, so these five books should be plenty to keep me occupied. and, it's an eclectic enough list that i won't get too full of one genre or style.
i'm almost done with the book i am currently reading and i think i'm going to start reading Messiah next. i never know until i start the book which one i'm going to read. if you're really interested, you'll be able to tell from the column on the right.
next, we'll have to decide which clothes to bring. since we're moving in the summer and staying until well into winter, we'll need to bring a wide range of clothing options. we'll have to pare it down as much as possible, though, in order to prevent the little apartment from getting too cluttered. i only hope we don't forget anything too big, because we'll be forced to purchase it as the portable storage unit will not be accessible.
so much hassle for just purchasing a new home. oh well, it'll be worth it.
since the apartment we are getting is rather tiny and only one bedroom, we are going to also rent a portable storage unit to keep all of our big furniture pieces and other things (books, movies, most of our wardrobes, etc.). we're putting aside all the things we'll think we need in the 6 or 7 months we'll be at the apartment. the most important thing (for me) was putting aside enough books to keep me occupied. there were a few that i had been meaning to read for a couple of years now, but had never gotten to, that i think would be perfect for this interim period. i put aside five books for the apartment:
* Hunger by Knut Hamsun (it's been nearly 10 years since i last read it)
* The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky (i love Russian writers, especially Dostoevsky)
* Blood and Grits by Harry Crews (one of the most underrated writers in America)
* Messiah by Andrei Codrescu (was recommended to me)
* The Stones of Summer by Dow Mossman (subject of the great documentary The Stone Reader)
i almost took 1984 by George Orwell, but decided i would save that for later. not sure why i didn't take it, but i didn't.
i'm a slow reader, so these five books should be plenty to keep me occupied. and, it's an eclectic enough list that i won't get too full of one genre or style.
i'm almost done with the book i am currently reading and i think i'm going to start reading Messiah next. i never know until i start the book which one i'm going to read. if you're really interested, you'll be able to tell from the column on the right.
next, we'll have to decide which clothes to bring. since we're moving in the summer and staying until well into winter, we'll need to bring a wide range of clothing options. we'll have to pare it down as much as possible, though, in order to prevent the little apartment from getting too cluttered. i only hope we don't forget anything too big, because we'll be forced to purchase it as the portable storage unit will not be accessible.
so much hassle for just purchasing a new home. oh well, it'll be worth it.
more copies and days off
i received 14 more copies of my newest book, 25 Best-Loved Poems of the Future, from Bill Roberts of Bottle of Smoke Press. i gave away the initial 10 copies he sent me with the signature sheets, so it was nice to get more.
if you are interested in purchasing a copy, let me know by emailing me or commenting to this post and we'll discuss payment options. or, you can always go to the Bottle of Smoke website and purchase a copy. and, while you're there, you should pick up a copy of my first book, i was a third grade genius..., if you don't already own one (and you can't go wrong picking up any of the other great collections Bottle of Smoke has released). there are only a few copies of i was a third grade genius... left, so you best hurry before they run out.
and remember, there are only 200 copies of 25 Best-Loved Poems of the Future, and the first 50 orders come signed with an extra-special broadside checklist of all of my publications.
now, i must finish painting the garage and packing up my books. i have today off for Pioneer Day, which was yesterday, and tomorrow and Wednesday off for our yearly plant shutdown. unfortunately, i can't use the time for much-needed relaxation as there's plenty of shit that needs to get done.
if you are interested in purchasing a copy, let me know by emailing me or commenting to this post and we'll discuss payment options. or, you can always go to the Bottle of Smoke website and purchase a copy. and, while you're there, you should pick up a copy of my first book, i was a third grade genius..., if you don't already own one (and you can't go wrong picking up any of the other great collections Bottle of Smoke has released). there are only a few copies of i was a third grade genius... left, so you best hurry before they run out.
and remember, there are only 200 copies of 25 Best-Loved Poems of the Future, and the first 50 orders come signed with an extra-special broadside checklist of all of my publications.
now, i must finish painting the garage and packing up my books. i have today off for Pioneer Day, which was yesterday, and tomorrow and Wednesday off for our yearly plant shutdown. unfortunately, i can't use the time for much-needed relaxation as there's plenty of shit that needs to get done.
24 July 2005
the day after
as i said in yesterday's post, we countered the highest offer. well, we learned today that the other party accepted our counter. we are now locked into a contract with the other party. the only thing left is the appraisal, the inspection and the settlement. the last will arrive eventually. the first two, however, will be here before we know it.
the appraisal is something the wife and i are a bit nervous about. because the offer is for just shy of 6% higher than the list price, the house now needs to appraise at that price (or damn near it). we have no idea if it will. to help, we white-washed the detached, one-car garage and painted the sides and front of the house (where paint had been peeling and flaking off). we also will be doing some plaster work in the bathroom and repainting it. hopefully, this will help the house appraise at the value we need. it's a lot of work, but it will have been worth it if the outcome is favorable.
the inspection we aren't too worried about. we had a favorable inspection 3 years ago when we bought the place, and we've fixed the place up quite a bit since then, so i don't see why it wouldn't pass inspection this time. i suppose time will tell on both the appraisal and inspection.
now, on to poetry. sunnyoutside's website is finally operational (albeit bare bones) and you can now order my broadside, the president, a criminal and a chimpanzee.... the design of this broadside is unbelievable, with artwork by the fabulous artist David Woodson. i think you would be blown away by the design (and, i hope, the poem). if you purchase a copy, let me know what you think of it.
the appraisal is something the wife and i are a bit nervous about. because the offer is for just shy of 6% higher than the list price, the house now needs to appraise at that price (or damn near it). we have no idea if it will. to help, we white-washed the detached, one-car garage and painted the sides and front of the house (where paint had been peeling and flaking off). we also will be doing some plaster work in the bathroom and repainting it. hopefully, this will help the house appraise at the value we need. it's a lot of work, but it will have been worth it if the outcome is favorable.
the inspection we aren't too worried about. we had a favorable inspection 3 years ago when we bought the place, and we've fixed the place up quite a bit since then, so i don't see why it wouldn't pass inspection this time. i suppose time will tell on both the appraisal and inspection.
now, on to poetry. sunnyoutside's website is finally operational (albeit bare bones) and you can now order my broadside, the president, a criminal and a chimpanzee.... the design of this broadside is unbelievable, with artwork by the fabulous artist David Woodson. i think you would be blown away by the design (and, i hope, the poem). if you purchase a copy, let me know what you think of it.
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